Annunciator.



F. J. DOHERTY.

ANNUNCIATOR.

APPLICATION FlLED JUNE 3, 19I5.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

FRANCIS J. DOI-IERTY,-OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

ANNUNGIATOR.

Application filed June 3, 1915.

- 7 To all whom it may concern:

ing is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawlngs, whlch form a part thereof.

My present invention 1s an lmproved electrical annunciator of the type in which a movable indicating target or drop is shifted from a normal position into an indicating position on the energization of an electromagnet, and the object of my invention is to provide an improved device of the type specified, characterized on the one hand by its simplicity and inherently low cost of manufacture, and on the other hand by its positive action, and freedom from liability of getting out of adjustment or repair.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Of the drawings: Figure l is a front elevation of an annunciator mechanism embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig.4 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is" a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. p

In the drawings I have shown, a single annunciator drop with its energizing magnet mounted on vertical standards S such as are commonly employed in annunciator I boxes, or casings ordinarily with a plurality of drops and magnets mounted on each of the one or more pairs of standards contained in each box or caslng. As shown, a

sheet metal plate G, forming or secured to the front end of the spool of the horizontal electromagnet A, is provided with ears 0 through which pass screws by which the magnet A is secured to the 1 standards The front plate C is also formed with a pan J Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. '7, 1916.

Serial No. 31,834.

of bracket ears C which are parallel to one another and to the axis of the coil A. The armature B is pivotally connected to the end of the magnet core A projecting at the rear end of the magnet.

B represents the pivotal connection between the armature and magnet core, and A represents a sleeve of non-magnetic material surrounding the projecting end of the armature core and holding the armature B out of direct contact therewith. The armature B is U-shaped, and the front arm B of the armature which extends up between the ears C is provided with horizontal pin like projections B which normally rest in the lower ends of deep notches G formed in the upper edges of the ears C The projections B also extend through thesimilar slots 6 in the similar side wings of the target or drop E. As shown, the latter is formed of sheet metal having its ends bent to form the two similar parallel back turned wings in which the slots 6 are formed, while the central portion of the drop E forms a seat against which a number bearingshield or other display member F mav be secured, as by vthe integral lugs E and E The member E is pivotally connected to the wings C by the pivot pin D'passing through the ears C and the side wings of the member E.

The slots 6 in the member E are shaped to provide shoulders e which normally abut against the projections. B of the armature B and hold the drop E in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4:. In this condition of the apparatus the projections B are at the bottoms of thenotches C in the bracket when freed by the energization of the magnet A as described, gravity tends to move it into the position shown in Fig. 3.. It has been found, however, that with light weight 7 and relatively inexpensive types of drops heretofore employed, that there is a fre-' quent tendency for gravity actuated drops to stick from time to time in their elevated positions, especially as the parts are apt to become bent slightly out of shape. Such failure to operate is absolutely prevented with my drop by the engagement of the projections B with the walls of the slots 6 first;

along the edges e t-and then along the edges 0 and the consequent camming-of the drop E into the position shown'in Fig.3. This, camming action is made the more efieet ve;

gize'd, the armature B assumes its normal position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. In this condition of the apparatus the pro ec I tions B of the armature B are received in the tail portions of the slots 6 which are elongated sufiiciently to permit the ends of the projections B to enter the'notches C as they do in Figs. 1,2 and 4. r The drop m'ay be restoredfto its -normal position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 by any usual or suitable means. As shown, the re- 7 storing means comprises a vertically movable bar T mounted in brackets S on one of the bars Sand provided wth'a cross pin T adapted to engage the edges of the side.

wings of the member E and thereby cam the latter back into the position shown in Figs. 1,2 and 4 in which it is then locked by the en'gagem'ent'of the armature projections 13 with the shoulders e of the apertures e.

Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that my improved annun-ci'ator, while simple in construction and made of a small numberof parts, 1S positive and rel1able in operation. Not only is practically all tend-.

ency of the drop to stick eliminated, but the engagement of the shoulders e? by the armature projections B when the latter rest in the notches C in the normal condition of the apparatus, insures against the drop working loose under any vibrationto which the annunciator will be subjected in ordinary use. This is a matter of practical importance when the annunciator is sub jec'tedto'considerable vibration as is the case when mounted on shipboard. My annunciator is also especially adapted for use on ship board or in other conditions in which it is subjected to' much vibration by the fact that it contains no screws or springs liable to work loose or get out of adjustment. While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and des'cribedthe best form of my invention now known tome, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat changes can be made in the form of my invention without departing from its spirit, and that some features of gagethe ed ges of said slots my invention can be used without a corresponding use of other features of the invention. f

Having nowdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an electromagnetic annunci'ator,'the combination with a, movable d op mounted to turn about a pivotal axis comprising a portion extending transversely to said piv ota'l axis and formed with an aperture providing a passage through said portion in a direction parallel to said axis, said aperture being'so shaped that said armature member when deener'gized may engage the wall of the aperture to hold the drop in its normal position, and when energized will engage the wall of said aperture and positively move the drop out of its normal position.

2; In anelectromagnetic annunciator the combinationwith an electromagnet and its movable armature member, of a drop comprising a sign carrying body and back turned wings pivotally supported to turn about an axis passing through sald wings and 1n front of and transverse to the axis of the ele'ctromag'net and formed with apertures receiving portlons of said armature member,

said apertures being shaped to provide shoulders normally engaged by said armaturemenrberto thereby hold said drop in its normal elevated position and with edges engaged by said armature member when the magnet is energized to positively turn said dropout of its normal position.

3'. In anelectromagnetic annunciator, a horizontal electromagnet, a drop having back turned wings each formed with a slot,

pivotal connections to said wings whereby said dropv is pivotally supported to turn about a horizontal axis transverse to said wings and in front of, and transverse to the axis-of said electromagnet, and an armature member pivotally supported'at the rear of said electromagnet and comprising a portion extend 'i-ng along the under side of said electron-iagnet, and an upturned portion at the front of said electromagnet, said upturned portion being provided withhorizontal extensions located in the space between said axis and the front end of the el'e'ctromagnet andentering the slots in said airings, said slots being so formed that when said electromagnet is energized said proj'ectionsm ay engage'the edge walls of the slots and'tend to move the drop from its normal elevated position into its lower sign exhibiting" position, and when the drop is in v its normal elevated position and the electromagnet-is deenergized said PIOJECtlOIlS endrop in said elevated position. a 4. In an electromagnetic oann'unciator a horizontal electromagnet having notchedbracket ears at one end, a drop formed with and hold the v back turned wings each formed with a slot;

pivotal connections between said wings and bracket ears whereby said drop is pivotally supported to turn about a horizontal axis transverse to said wings and in front of,.

and transverse to the axis of said electromagnet, and an armature member plvotally supported at the rear of said electromagnet and comprising a portion extending along Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

tions may engage the edge walls of the slots and move the drop from its normal elevated position into its lower sign exhibiting position, and when the drop is in its normal elevated position and the electromagnet is deenergized said projections engage the edges of said slots and hold the drop in said elevated position.

FRANCIS J. DOHERTY.

Washington, D. G. 

